eueuphoriaz

[eueuphoriaz]

Great analyses!

I might have missed out the whole discussions of the opaque glasses thing but I do agree that the first meeting is filled with suspicions and awkwardness. And if we think about the whole sequence, a lot of hesitation on both sides.

Now, Hange never hides her intention to get to know the trio. She tell them straight up. "You guys are good, I want to learn from you"

Now, all those moments of her opaque glasses in the manga, coincide when moments of awkwardness, like when she forgot a name but remembered the names of his friends, or when she is "rejected" (I dont think Levi actually rejected her cos he probably doesnt know where his strength come from too.), or when she is rejected again and decided to give them their space.

But in all those moments, we also see sincerity in her eyes, accompanying the opaque glasses that hide the awkwardness of the situation she is in.

And she is sincere when she tells them her intention- I want to know you to learn from you.

Now, the manipulative part of her giving the sweets to Isabel.

Note that Isabel is the only one who showed signs of dislike towards Hange even when Hange had been cleared of "eavesdropping".

When Hange praised them after her first "rejection", she was clear in her intention too- "we all saw you guys fought and you all are good"

And it is this sincerity that broke Isabel, who felt a connection immediately.

Now, I think it is important to note that Isabel is not a weak link. The trio came from the Underground and they are wired for survival. Furlan doesnt really care as long as Hange doesnt interfere in their jobs. Isabel is just being herself and acting like a cool thug.

In fact, I think that she is the toughest link to break because it says a lot when someone build an emotional wall against other people (as a form of self-defence). And for Hange to break it down with sincerity, I think this is why Levi's and Hange's first meeting is so important- Levi's first experience of kindness towards people he cared for.

And my explanation on Levi's confusion expression is linked here

Now you can see that Hange's praise is sincere, and her joy in seeing Isabel connect with her is also sincere. And of course, Hange being Hange had to try her luck again with Levi, and this is when it clicked to her- Levi is not unbreakable. (See that side-glance he is giving to Hange? I bet she can sense a change in his attitude there)

Of course, I believe that there is still some hesitation in Hange because she had been "rejected" by Levi. So, her next plan, or experiment, is to build a relationship with him. Like how she builds the relationship with Isabel.

Now, I think that that whole sequence is also her attempt to show her sincerity, to tell Levi:

"Look, I have shown that I mean no harm and sincerely appreciate you all, even if you disbelieve me (as in Isabel's case)"

And her action of consolidating her friendship with Isabel just proves that point. If anything, it just shows how sincere Hange is.

Is there manipulation? I do not think so but I think that there is hesitation on Hange's part and Hange, trying her luck again, is definitely not as confident as she was when she made her first proposal to Levi. She probably is also thinking a lot behind those glasses on what could happen next, if she try her luck with Levi again.

Vulnerability

I just want to point out that Hange had, on their first encounter, revealed her vulnerability- when she says that she cant balance with her belt at first, and giving her item (treats) as a friendly gestures. If one is manipulative, I dont think that they would expose themselves or give up so much at a first meeting, without knowing if the goal of their intention (in Hange's case to learn from Levi) would be met. Hence I think that Hange is sincerely wanting to befriend them.

And Hange, knowing that Levi probably needed more time, did not pursue the topic of teaching her again. Her invitation to their next meeting is actually just a personal activity- lunch.

Hange and Levi's first meeting in No Regrets and what it means to Levi

I'd like to talk about a scene in No Regrets that gets brought up sometimes by certain people in the fandom, which is Levi and Hange's first meeting, but I don't think fandom talks enough about the emotional impact this scene must've had on Levi, or why that first meeting is so important to him. This scene always manages to make me feel emotional no matter how many times I think about it, hence why it's my favourite part of the manga, because for the first time since Levi, Furlan and Isabel got in the Survey Corps, someone treated them with kindness and didn't look down on them.

The first thing we can notice from the way Hange approached them is how genuine and excited Hange is with what they achieved with the Titan, making sure to include them all in the achievement and not only Levi as seen here by how Isabel tells Hange that their group is amazing and Hange agreeing with her.

Hange is interested in getting to know more about Levi's strength, but it's in a way where they want to learn from him and get taught by him rather than in an idea of using his strength as a tool. By bringing the other Scouts in the conversation as seen below, Hange encourages Levi to teach them his tricks so they can all have better chances of survival and also kill Titans more efficiently from now on.

Hange wants to get to know Levi as a person first and foremost, which does impact Levi who hasn't really met anyone in the Survey Corps until that point to be interested in himself as a person and not just as a tool, and in his friends too as he's inseparable from them. Hange doesn't forget about them and even includes them in the conversation in their own easygoing way as seen in this panel.

Continuing on this idea, one of the most important parts of this scene is how Hange isn't only friendly with Levi, but they're friendly with Isabel and Furlan too, going so far as to give Isabel a treat for the start of their new friendship. It might not mean much, but for people who recently left the Underground where getting treats was probably a luxury or at best hard to come by, Hange's action will impact them far more than some people might realize. These three have constantly been called thugs or have been disrespected until they showed their technical prowess with Titans during their first expedition, so to see Hange push past that barrier by wanting a genuine friendship with them is such a contrast to the way they have been treated by the others all this time. And even when Levi is curt with Hange, they don't give up, inviting them all to a meal after the expedition is over, which shows how much Hange wants to get to know them better as people, and not only as soldiers skilled with ODM gear.

I think what impacted Levi the most out of that exchange wasn't necessarily that Hange was kind with him. It's definitely important, but when we know how much Levi cares about the ones he loves, how he values their lives much more than his own, it's that Hange was so kind with his friends that really impacted him the most, and I don't think fandom talks enough about it. How affected Levi must've been by Hange's sheer kindness without expecting anything in return from him in a world where that concept simply didn't exist. Levi was being kind with others, but this is the first time we see someone else that isn't part of his group be kind to him in return. I think what Hange did that day for him and his friends meant a lot more to Levi than we realize. Someone in the Survey Corps finally treated them as they should've always been treated, with respect and kindness and not with disdain or even coercion. And Hange isn't bothered by his refusal to communicate with them as seen by Furlan's reply here: "Anyway, Hange doesn't seem particularly bothered."

They respect his boundaries when Levi doesn't feel like answering since he doesn't want to get attached to new people (we know how that plan failed in retrospect, but he still tried), and that's because Hange doesn't try to force anything out of him. They tried and he didn't want to engage, that was fine with them, they'll still want to be his friend in the future regardless of Levi's answer. And I don't think fandom gives enough credit to Hange in this scene.

This scene will forever remain my favourite in No Regrets because it shows just how incredibly kind and friendly Hange was with Levi since the very beginning. Yes, this has to do with Hange's personality, that it's just like them to be attracted by the new outsiders or misfits and try to befriend them, but the important part is that someone at least tried. And it makes total sense how out of everyone we know, it had to be Hange to carry out that role. Someone caring as much about his friends as Levi simply cannot be hated by him. This scene actually destroys that claim even more, because by this definition, Levi would have to hate the first person in the Survey Corps to actually be friendly with his friends, the most important people in his life at that moment in time. It's again completely nonsensical to say that, and I do think the people who keep saying it either have forgotten this scene exists or they'd rather ignore it because it wasn't included in the OVA. But regardless of the reason, the fact remains this scene is part of the No Regrets manga and is important to delve even further into the relationship of Levi and Hange as it presents the blueprint of their relationship. Supportive and caring for each other until the very end.

[eueuphoriaz]

Just look at Humanity's strongest carrying all the shopping bags for his wifey!!!!

Is Levi carrying a sleeping bag/ tent? 😍😍😍

they're going on an adventure <3

[eueuphoriaz]

So, I find that the changes made to the anime in Season 3, compared to the manga, can contain very very subtle signs of Levihan.

Case in point: When we are introduced to the new Levi squad in their hideout cottage.

In the manga, Connie was not present when the 104 is tasked to clean the hideout cottage. I conclude that that is because Connie is still in Trost with Hange and Levi because they needed to report the findings of Ragako village to Erwin.

There after, some time passed, and Hange's squad then visited them, supposedly to start ok Eren's experiment. But that is also when Hange informed them that Nick is dead.

Now, in the anime, it is implied that Connie joined the 104 earlier because he was seen with them cleaning the cottage. And Eren also mentioned that they are supposed to clean up fast before the Captain returns.

So, suppose Levi is still somewhere in the cottage, he is not with them. Or, he could be at somewhere else totally.

Now, when Levi came back, he is wearing the black jacket, and not his cleaning gear. So this tells me that unlike the cleanup at the old castle in Season 1, Levi was not in the cottage, cleaning with them.

He had to be at somewhere else.

And we know where/ who he was with because he then announced the our beloved Hange is dying to start the experiment.

The changes in sequence the anime made is better, although it did cut out a lot of Hange's scene, and that unforgetable "you still got that look on your face.....tell me, Hange" Levihan line. But it does subtly point to moments where Levi spend with Hange, or with her squad, by himself.

Of course, in the anime, they then added the scene where Levi, Hange and her squad travelled back to Trost, where Levi updated Erwin about the experiment, while Hange discovered Nick's death the next morning.

And Hange had to return back to the cottage to look for Levi to tell him the news.

Yap. Although I cant exactly say that I appreciate some of the things Wit did to Hange and Levihan in the earlier Seasons, some scenes do contain very very subtle hints about Levihan. Not forgetting that they also basically axed the conclusion that the black jacket belonged to Erwin, because of that added scene in Season 3 episode 1. 🙂‍↕️

[eueuphoriaz]

I know Udo is their secret child but anyone else feels that baby Ymir also resembles #levihan secret child?

Mum and dad

Their child

I need to see more kid Hange.

[eueuphoriaz]

Why is Eren so particular about dusting the dirt before entering the cottage?

Found this clip from the game and it totally explains why.

And I did a little calculation. Although Hange's line only consisted of less than 10 words, she took up about 35 sec of this 2.18min clip.

Well, it will no longer be a problem if Hange is forever banned from entering any space near Levi. But we know Levi cannot be anywhere far from Hange. So, I guess the problem is that Levi had an additional pair of boots to clean now 😏

[eueuphoriaz]

I cant figure this out.

When Hange met up with Magath and Pieck, she said she was unarmed. When she killed the pursuing Yeagerist, she was also seen without any ODM gear.

But when she met up with Jean and Mikasa at the HQ in Shinganshina, she suddenly had ODM gear on her.

Where could the ODM gear come from?

And then after she met up with Jean and Mikasa and return to Magath, Pieck and Levi, she doesnt have the ODM gear anymore. Why? Where did the ODM gear went to?

Could she have gone back to the killed Yeagerists and took their ODM gear before heading out to look for Jean and Mikasa? But why she removed them again after she return?

Could Mikasa have helped her to procure an ODM gear before she met with Jean? And same thing why did she remove them again?

Ahhhh, I dont want to stretch toooooo far with my Levihan lens but I really cannot figure this. Probably she had removed the ODM gear in the presence of Magath and Pieck to show her sincerity in the Alliance. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yes, that makes more sense 👓

[eueuphoriaz]

I need some Junior High Levihan after watching their parting and Hange's sacrifice act on the big screen for 2 days.

When you are supposedly Humanity strongest....

But you cant even keep up to your damn Four-eyes....

I think there are some flirting there... but at least it is enough for me....🤭

[eueuphoriaz]

There are no more "Four-eyes"....

Or just purely "Levi" after 132.

She died as Commander Hange, while he lived on as Captain Levi

[eueuphoriaz]

It makes sense who he is holding the last gaze for...

His POV, the scars she gifts.

She is always watching

[eueuphoriaz]

When you are the coolest fighters of humanity, and have the cutest bedhead.

Not forgetting their brunette too. Got this inspiration from Hange praising Eren's hairstyle in Season 4.

[eueuphoriaz]

It is amazing how Levihan got here after Hange asked Levi to live together.

Though it is only a split second, time is also endless there.

I just want to keep this shareable information, knowing that Levi and Hange are still in the forest because the time they spent there lasts for eternity.

[eueuphoriaz]

So, did Hange gift Levi another white knitted top (vest this time) for his birthday cos she stole the sweater she knitted for him previously?

[eueuphoriaz]

I just needed a cheerful one-eye Commander Hange.

[eueuphoriaz]

So, I discovered this in my phone while I was doing my annual archiving. It was a clip from the After Party last year and this one is between Levi and Hange.

I didnt think much when I first listened to it, or even when I recorded it down. But today, after listening to it again, I realised, there is a very very subtle hint about their relationship.

1) Hange is talking to Levi about his situation, not talking about Levi and his Zeke squad. The 2 of them really have this bubble between them where they just exist with the other.

Just some random moments which reminds us that Levi is always Hange's most attentive listener (Remember when Oluo told Eren to shut up in Season 1?)

2) So Levi then snap Hange out of her rambling because she is empathising the feelings that Levi had to go through...to have no options but to kill his own squad....

"....it's beyond cruel...." 😢

Or maybe Levi woke up because Hange is mumbling and he has to be the listener and be there for her? 🤔

3) Anyway, I loved how Levi tried to get Hange to think logically and not get to stuck with Sannes' words aka her sense of responsibilities. Although he feels the same, he said he try not to think about it. So this tells me that whatever I am going to conclude about Hange later, also applies to him.

Now, does Levi mean that he forgot about the torture bonding time? No, because he said if he could. But I think that he is trying to tell Hange not to think about what is not helpful to her, especially for the present situation.

Just try not to think about it, like I do.

I think that Levi is trying to help Hange to differentiate between duty and responsibility because these 2 are very different to begin with.

When Sannes, or Hange, or even Nick, felt that it is their responsibility to protect the king, save humanity or keep the Wall's secret, they then faced with that role/ turn that Sannes talked about. But Levi has a duty to kill the Beast, to give meaning to the deaths of the Scouts who had been conned to die, stop the Rumbling, fulfil his promise. A task that he just has to complete, and not feel that he is responsible for it in anyway. Which is why I think he tried to tell Hange to lessen the burden of responsibility, and focus on her duty instead.

And we do hear her tell Jean in 127, that she is still the Commander and she has her duty. But of course, she still struggles with the responsibility part, even up until 132.

4) Now, the last part is where I had a new realisation about their whole interaction here. (Of course Levihan lens in on👓)

I think this is where the very conflicting moment shows for both Levi and Hange.

"We chose to be soldiers, and we chose to push on"

Now, suppose they make the other choice, there wont be any need to fill the role that Sannes talk about. And that alternative choice was really, giving up their duty, or not and live out their lives together in the forest.

And like Hange said, both of them had chosen the path to take.

5) Levi then kept quiet while Hange continued about the roles and turns. I feel so sad here as Hange conclude that when their turn comes, they would need to sacrifice things that they hold dear.

Now, just rewind the clip back and you will notice that Hange had always talked about "the 2 of them".

And I feel that this moment, kind of explains why the 2 of them cannot look at the other in the eye after that.

They understood who they had held dear to them, and the other party also knew.

6) So, what else could be "dear" besides Levi? Definitely not her life because Moblit has always scolded her for risking her life.

For Hange to feel the conflict of sacrificing what she held dear, because of her choice, I think Levi must have understood too. Because their parting words...

"You would understand, Levi..."

And Levi's duty to kill the Beast means he had to sacrifice what he held dear to as well.

7) So in a way, Sannes' words was really for both Hange and Levi, although he said it to Hange directly. But the choice they both made, meant that when the time or turn come, there had to be a sacrifice made.

And thats why Hange did not let Levi speak first. She kind of have forced him to make that "sacrifice". And she took responsibility for that choice he made, likely, to lessen his regret.

** ok, I added that last sentence myself because I cant get my Levihan lens out. 😭😭😭😭

[eueuphoriaz]

Why do I feel that this scene gives me the 132 vibe?

[eueuphoriaz]

It's going to be 25 Dec here and I am just going to post this, dedicated to all Levihans.

This is an inspiration from the Dusty Library short story and I used the translated version instead of the audio cd version.

I just have this thought that Levi could have slipped while trying to grab Hange because it was raining and there could be a puddle on the floor (cue his cameo in the Last Attack movie end credits).

Anyway, happy birthday to Hange's favourite shorty!

[eueuphoriaz]

Guess who else besides Kenny dare to scold Levi?

So, I find that this whole scene really didnt make much sense to me, especially in the anime. So I looked and noted some differences and putting my Levihan lens on, I conclude that this is a little banter between Levi and Hange, and Eren, yet again, got involved between them.

1) Hange vs Eren

Ok, it started with Hange trying to get more information from Eren from his "Attack Titan" mumbling. Then she tried to get support from Levi and Armin but Eren threw a tantrum and basically shut everyone up.

Now, the sequence that followed in the anime didnt do Hange justice at all. It kind of shows how she was just trying to irritate Eren but looking at the manga, Hange's and Levi's lines that were cut off would have made this whole prison scene more wholesome

2) Levi's attack

So, Levi sort of came to Hange's rescue by annoucing to Eren that his detention is over. Now Eren is calmer but we are starting to see a little banter between Hange and Levi.

"Hange gave you 10 day's worth of punishment"😏

"Huh???!? Huh!?!?"😵‍💫

Now, what I am seeing here is Levi, using Eren as the intermediary, to poke at Hange's quirkiness. And Hange, who was trying to ask Eren about his mumbling, turned her attention to Levi now and asked what is bad about the things she said.

The anime leaving out that part feels as if she has no capacity of introspectiveness, but yet we do see how Levi and Hange helped each other to stay grounded and focused, and at the same time, adding a bit of their own humour in poking at each other.

3) Levi help explain to Eren

Next, Levi tried to explain to Eren why they had approached Zackley to reduce his detention time. Levi is always looking at a bigger picture and he know that they need to build up the Survey corps fast.

So after Levi calmed Hange down and cue her that Eren also needed information, she explained what they had been doing and assured Eren not to feel worried. Let's just appreciate how patient and insightful Hange is, given that Eren just threw a teenager's tantrum at her but she still assured him not to worry.

4) Levi the moron

Now, it is time for Hange to payback Levi for calling her "Eren's 10 days' worth of punishment". So after she assured Eren, she called out herself and Levi as morons but the way she clenched her teeth, spitting the words and the speed at which she said that sentence in the anime, as Levi is walking away, it is like she is rushing to let him hear her words.

5) Hange's sadness

Now, I really dont appreciate Wit studio for cutting this Hange's scene out. It is already something that she is struggling and trying even before season 4. And Levi's line in the manga that the Survey Corp is now a 9 people organisation and they cannot afford to jail up anymore members, further show that Levi understood the sense of loss Hange is in. That whole prison scene in the anime, after cutting Levi and Hange's lines, really didnt do justice to Hange or Levihan at all. 😤